FatCat

I have just noticed this is an old link too. But it also popped up for me. Besides that, I am sure even now seven years later there will be someone struggling with the same question.

Mmmm To be honest, London and Sydney are so different on many levels, I am not sure you can really compare the two enough to come up with a satisfactory answer. They both certainly have similar problems - overcrowding, traffic snarls, cost of parking and expensive houses. I would say London has more of a social scene (theater, pubs, clubs), and Sydney has more of an outdoor lifestyle (beaches, sailing, picnics, walks) If you enjoy a beer whilst watching new bands, then London would be better choice. If you enjoy outdoor pursuits, then Sydney would be a better choice. I love the history and rituals of London (i.e.) the oldest pub is over 500 years old, and the ritual of having strawberries and cream at Wimbledon. But I much prefer living near the beach and working in the city - hence Sydney would be my choice

Ahhh dear. If only we all had such "problems". To be honest, you are very lucky that you have such a choice to make. Lots of people cannot even get into one country - let alone have the choice of ping-ponging between two. An old work colleague of mine spends six months in London and six months in Sydney, and just goes backwards and forwards each year. If you can afford it, this would be a good option, as you can have six months with family being close, then six months of a wonderful lifestyle. Given six months is a short period, it won't leave you yearning for the other, as you know you will be back to the other place quite soon. If you cannot afford to do that, then you just have to make a list of the pros and cons of each place - then live in the place with the most pros. I suppose the other option, is to live somewhere with a lifestyle that is similar to Sydney, but much closer to the UK - maybe Cyprus.

Goodness. Never heard anyone say that before....

Agreed. My last check-out time was officially 10am. I asked if I could have a later check-out, and it was extended to 3pm.

Pretty much only positives from me. My entire family group still live in the UK, and I am the only one who left. Left in the early 90s and never been back since. No desire to either. Even though been here for so long, I still on occasion marvel at how lucky I am. A lot has changed in the past 30 years, and the downside has been the huge increase in the cost of living, to what it was when I first arrived. But that is life in the world over today. It is what it is. (Then again, could never afford to live back in London again, as I have been told the rents are through the roof now. My rent in London was pretty expensive back in 1990 as it was). I think the best way to settle, is to adapt to your new country with all its challenges and changes to UK living, and really embrace the differences - rather than constantly pushing against them. That attitude worked for me anyway

Speak for yourself! Every day was the same: blue sky, no clouds, big yellow blazing ball of sun, day after day after day SOUNDS PERFECT TO ME............ I absolutely adore that kind of weather, and makes me feel happy to live in that environment If I wanted to experience British weather again. I would return to Britain or live in Melbourne. Funny actually. I adore hot weather. But my Aussie work colleague hates hot weather and is quite irritable in it, she is really only contented in winter or rain. I say we must have both been born in the wrong countries.

Well years ago I read this about Canberra from travel writer Bill Bryson...... "Canberra, why wait for death? And certainly back in the 1990s; I would have agreed with him. But recently visited again for the first time since 1995.......and absolutely loved the place. It had a really good vibe about it, and there was lots to see and do. Active local arts scene. Great wineries, eateries and bars too. Very easy to get around and rarely any congestion on the roads. I stayed in Kingston for six weeks and loved the area On the downside, it can get very icy cold in winter (as in British cold), and very hot in summer due to it being inland away from the coast. I believe it can get very quite when parliament is not sitting (but I would like that), and rents can be very expensive. Plus the layout was a little confusing and reminded me of Milton Keynes in that respect. Of course, visiting and living somewhere are totally different. Still I was very impressed on how much it had improved over the years. Cannot comment about cliquey, but it is basically a country town and I would imagine that may impact somewhat.

An old post but: I would love an update on this - as the difference between Katherine and New York City is so vast, that it is hard to comprehend the two together in one sentence. Personally I like both places

Yes. I am constantly sucked in by the thought of a sunny "adventure" and a romantic laid back lifestyle of living on an island or a remote hard to access location. (I looked at houses on Dangar Island and at Berowra Waters too). But every time I mention it, I am reminded about the nuisance of finding a parking space (SI car park is often full), or struggling with shopping bags from the car to the ferry to the house. Or reminded that yes sounds pleasant in summer, but I would quickly get tired of it in torrential rain. Pity (although probably good) that my other half is so boringly practical Maybe will have to do it for retirement and don't need to leave the island daily for work

Ohhhh. Very envious. I have looked at houses there. But other half reckons it will be too impractical.

I feel like I have fallen down with rabbit hole with Alice At least the post is from January and not April

Old post but: A friend recently flew in and went into hotel isolation. He was not allowed to open the hotel room door, let alone step out into the corridor. He was in a small room. It was windowless. He was not allowed to have more than half a bottle of wine a day (maybe in case he went insane and tried to drown himself in the toilet)........and go insane he nearly did. I would imagine it felt very much like solitary confinement in prison. He said the only saving grace, was the fact that he didn't have to also cope with children in such a situation.

Looks good on the surface only it seems - digging deeper and it takes on a whole new view

Interesting. What is the reason? Do you know?

Well this post jinxed it Been living in Sydney for over 20 years, and never in all that time seen a Sydney funnel web spider (except in the zoo) Storming the other evening, went outside to find the cat, and saw a funnel web scurrying along the path and into a burrow. Been extremely paranoid walking up and down that path ever since! Which is actually a really silly way of thinking, as obviously there are spiders and snakes around, but you just never or very rarely see them. Hence taking me 20 years to see my first garden funnel web spider. Does however again firm my resolution to never install a cat-flap. Yes my cat goes outside for two hours each day. No I don't want to start a discussion or an argument about it !!!!

Yes Lots of places like that I would happily live in North Curl Curl (NSW), but would hate to live in the next door suburb of Dee Why. I am sure you can rent somewhere unseen - but it would be a huge risk. If anyone was going to take this route, then make sure you don't lock yourself into a 12 month contract. .

Yes I totally second that. Real Estate agents in Oz have magic cameras that make rooms and gardens look waaaaaayyy bigger than they actually are. They also have a license to wax lyrical So a........ "whisper quite, cute tidy cottage". Is actually a run down dump situated slightly back from a major highway Then of course, it really pays to view the area, street and neighbours in real life in person. I looked at a house last year and was shocked to find the neighbour was a hoarder - there was crap everywhere spilling out of their garden. Broken down rusting cars, tins, scrap metal, falling down house, garbage uncollected. Yuck. The real estate agent had done a good job of keeping quite on that issue, and worse even tried to convince us that "it really wasn't that bad"............. Good grief

I am sure it does I have only ever lived in QLD, NT, VIC and NSW, so of course cannot speak for anywhere else But in my experience, I have found over time, less and less places now offer it.

I went many many years ago and hated it. It was as rough as guts back then. But I have heard that it is a great place to live now, as been beautified. I am sure there must still be rough areas there (like anywhere) but on the whole it has a pretty good reputation these days. The real drawcard are the salt of the earth people with no pretensions. I found them as a whole very friendly and welcoming, although a bit common. That sounds terribly snobbish reading back, but that is not my intention. When I was there it seemed almost every other young females desire in life was to find a man, set up a house and have babies. I could not relate to them on that level, as all I wanted to do was travel the world and have adventures. I have met very few Liverpudlians overseas in far flung places. Personally I really love the seaside suburb of Lytham St Annes, which is an hour North.

Well to be perfectly honest, Australia is doing pretty well compared to the rest of the world. Worse place to be about now is the USA or the UK. My family in the UK say Covid has been appallingly managed by the government and local councils, and they are beyond fatigued by it all. It has been pretty much life as normal with a few restrictions for me here in Sydney. Your choice of course, but I would stay firmly put until things settle down. Probably happen mid year when vaccinations start rolling out more.

I Get Knocked Down....Chumbawamba

Wow. Lucky you. I got offered a job there (Sark) once many moons ago, but came out to Australia instead. I adore OZ and consider it my home now. But if I ever moved back, then can think of worst places than the Channel islands. Very similar to Tasmania in scenery it seems. From my understanding, islanders tend to think of themselves as French rather than English, at least that is how it use to be when I was offered a job. Wonder how it is now?

Agreed Although to be honest, I consider it very lucky to experience such an amazing event. But yes funnier now; than it was then. Worst animal encounter scare I have ever had in my life (literally thought I was going to die), was being chased across a field by some angry horses in Wales. And worse when I tried to seek assistance, none of the Welsh people in the village would speak to me in English - as a result I have disliked horses and Welsh people ever since. Snakes dropping out of the sky, are a doddle in comparison

Whilst you have never actually met me in person, I absolutely loved living in Darwin, and found it a really easy casual lifestyle and laidback place to live. Then again, many people find me to be borderline eccentric, so I am probably not the best person to offer a balanced critique